Inside Voices: Utahns share their views on immigration

Happy Saturday, and welcome to Inside Voices, a weekly newsletter that features a collection of ideas, perspectives and solutions from across Utah — without any of the vitriol or yelling that’s become all too common on other platforms. Subscribe here.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox outlined last week how the state will support President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration in deporting undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes or, the governor’s office says, are a threat to Utahns’ safety.

I asked Tribune readers what is at the heart of the immigration issue for you, and what you’d like to see done to improve the U.S. immigration system.

• “I can only speak for Mexican American immigrants, but there are countless ways in which immigrants come to this country [and] enrich their community, their economy and the workforce. To say that it’s an issue is ignorant and not realistic. We should be doing our part to help immigrants and, certainly, it is a nuanced issue. The most important thing to me when it comes to immigration is that people be treated humanely and with dignity.” — Eva, Washington

• “[An] open border is my major concern. No one has a ‘right’ to immigrate wherever they please. They must prove that they have something to offer the country. No criminal should ever be allowed to enter, and those who cross the border without permission are criminals, period. That said, I think that our economy should be able to handle around a million or so legal immigrants who wish to assimilate to American culture and support the U.S. Constitution. They must, however, be vetted and should be proficient in the language of the land.” — Reider, West Jordan

• “The immigration system has been broken for decades. We need a lot more funding for more immigration judges, case workers for asylum applicants and border agents to process people crossing at ports of entry … Many of the long-term problems we face, like the prospect of more retirees than active workers, declining birth rates and the solvency of Social Security, can all be helped by letting in more immigrants. But we need to make the process more seamless for people who want to become Americans, provide a pathway to citizenship for the millions of people already here and raising families with kids in school, allow for more H2B visas for foreign guest workers, and do more to live up to the plaque on the Statue of Liberty that proclaims America is a place for ‘huddled masses yearning to breathe free.’” — Tom, Provo

• “Remove violent and gang-related [undocumented immigrants]. I wish for more efficient legal immigration processes, and hope our country continues to be a beacon of hope for those seeking more opportunity than what was available in their country. Yet, we must recognize that a country, a state, a county, a city can only assimilate so many people per year, especially those without means, limited skills and [who are] non-English speaking. Let’s get smart about immigration policies and make better use of taxpayers money while ensuring a more successful integration experience for new arrivals.” — Jan, Sandy

Utahn of the Year

The Salt Lake Tribune’s annual Utahn of the Year poll is live! Since 1997, The Salt Lake Tribune’s editors and editorial board members have selected a Utahn of the Year. The aim is to find the person, persons or entity who — for good or ill — best reflect the state and its biggest news stories of the year.

We ask readers to weigh in, too. Vote by 5 p.m. on Dec. 13. Reader poll results will be published at the same time as the editorial board’s choice.

Utah Voices

The following excerpts come from op-eds recently published in The Tribune.

Politics

• “As a young, married college student with a baby on the way, I am excited for Trump’s second term. I feel more confident that I will be able to pay for necessities, get a good job and buy a house someday. I have more peace of mind about the state and trajectory of the world,” writes Tanner Day, a 23-year-old junior at Brigham Young University. Read more.

• “Had the plot of ‘Wicked’ been written within the past year, critics would be tempted to call the new movie almost too on the nose. Over the past two decades since its Broadway debut, the story has always felt timely, but today its themes regarding political scapegoating and discrimination feel even more shockingly relevant,” writes Scott Sawaya, an economics student at Brigham Young University. Read more.

• “We can challenge someone’s ideas and behaviors without dehumanizing that person,” writes Kris Campbell. “Yes, even when they are in the midst of dehumanizing us. This does not mean we should avoid addressing problems and keep quiet. Instead, we can choose to share our own experiences and get curious. Ask questions and listen. Strive to learn more about where others are coming from and why. By doing so, we can see the humanity in each other.” Read more.

Housing

• “This is a unique and time-sensitive opportunity to demonstrate to the rest of the nation that a housing crisis, spiraling out of control, can be resolved equitably if we are willing to address the problem at its source,” writes Dawn Smith, a third-year student of architecture and planning at the University of Utah. Read more.

Downwinders

• “Victims of radiation exposure across Utah have been fighting for justice for years,” writes Mary Dickson, a Salt Lake City writer and downwinder. “Now, there is new life in the effort to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to cover all Utahns and communities elsewhere harmed by fallout from atmospheric testing in Nevada decades ago. We just need our own congressional delegation to close the deal. The question is — will they?” Read more.

Share Your Perspective

Utah’s ski resorts are starting to open and, for many Utahns, that means a lot of time in the car. I want to hear from you: What traffic solutions would you like to see in Utah’s Cottonwood Canyons?

From Bagley’s Desk

I’m always looking for unique perspectives, ideas and solutions that move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here, and drop me a note at voices@sltrib.com.